I recently acquired a BSA International with an octagon barrel. It came with the original forend for the original round barrel but the  new barrel has not yet been drilled and tapped for the attachment screw. I originally intended to rout the forend  barrel channel to match the octagon shape of the barrel, but the round barrel channel that currently exists is a very close fit to the diameter of the barrel, the only thing being that the barrel channel is round instead of octagon. The fit is so close you cant notice any gaps. Is there any reason why the barrel channel should be routed to match the octagon contour if it isnt visible? THe width of the barrel channel is a perfect fit as is. Thanks! Joe S 

2 issues would concern me,  performance and appearance.  In any case at a minimum I'd be absolutely positive I got a good solid fit between the wood and barrel where the screw pulls them up tight. Any unsightly gaps, though small at the leading edge might be made invisible with tinted acraglas---if done carefully.

bedding for performance is a variable thing.  some simply full length solid bed with a very thin relief between the butt of the forend and the front of the action.

[quoteIf you don't want to do the bedding, put a plastic nut with a pointed screw on the front of the forearm.  Adjustment of the screw will give you floating barrel [/quote]



                                 HUH??   

Maybe someone can explain this plastic nut and a pointed screw in detail so I dont have go out and buy a book by Frank Dehaase.  I do know what a free floating barrel is. At least I thought I did.

Maybe it's one of those Clintonian dilemmas,  Maybe it depends on what you consider a free floating barrel? 

                       Joe.   

Many years ago, during the steam airplane era, I had a Model 52 Winchester with 2 screws in the forend, say at 4 and 8 o clock. These screws could be adjusted to touch the barrel. A flashlight bulb and wires and battery and alligator clips were required. Wired up, the screw was turned in until it touched the barrel = the bulb went on, then the second screw, then the screws were turned so many turns. Everything was written down, ex left screw 1 1/2 turns after touching, right screw 2 turns after touching. This was interesting for about an hour, then became a pita. This was a factory gun/screws-it came with a paper describing how to do it. The gun, like so many, is long gone.
joe b.

Quote:


Where in the fuselage did they place the coal bunker? 

BP wrote on Jun 27^th, 2010 at 12:58pm:


Coal?

Nuclear! Yes, it makes sense now. Coal is like, just so black and messy.  :

                                      Joe.